10 things to know when bathing a newborn

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi My Linh - Neonatologist - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Bathing a newborn can be fun for both parent and baby. However, the bathing environment is slippery, if the baby does not cooperate and stir a lot, it will cause some difficulties. Therefore, parents need to know how to bathe the basic newborn baby before starting to do it.

1. Clean your baby with a damp cloth

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents only wipe their baby's body with a damp cloth until the umbilical cord falls off or the foreskin has healed, which can be a week or two after birth.
To start wiping your baby, put the baby on his or her back on a towel or bed. Wet a small and soft towel, wring out excess water, then wipe your baby's face. Gently wipe each eyelid with a cotton ball (or a corner of a towel) from the inside out. The area around the mouth and under the chin where your baby's milk and saliva comes out should also be cleaned. Usually there is no need to use soap on babies at this early stage.

2. Pay attention to the crevices in the skin

To clean the baby's body, parents can use plain water or mild moisturizing soap for babies. Pay special attention when bathing a newborn baby is the skin under the arms, behind the ears, in the crevices around the neck and in the diaper area. Besides, do not forget to clean the position between the baby's fingers and toes, especially for chubby children because there are often many lines on the skin. If the weather is cold, only take off your pants or shirt in the part that needs to be bathed to keep your baby warm.

3. Wash your baby's hair

Shampooing should be done on babies with thick hair. Parents should, with their bare hands, gently rub a drop of baby shampoo onto their child's scalp. Rinse off the shampoo layer with a cup of water or a wet washcloth. Don't forget to cover your baby's forehead with one hand to prevent soap bubbles from running or splashing in your baby's eyes.
When the stage is over to wipe the baby's body with a towel, parents can wash their baby's hair directly under the tap. First, use your elbow or the inside of your wrist to check the water temperature is appropriate. Then use your arm to support the baby's back and steady the head with your hand, gently rub the baby's hair with the other hand.

4. Bathing a newborn in a tub/bath

When the baby's body is ready for a normal bath, you can use a plastic tub/bath or a sink to put the baby in. Before use, it should be washed through the sink or basin / basin and lined with a clean towel.
Should have all the necessary items for bathing a newborn baby, including towels, jug/ladder and baby shower gel. Gathering these things in advance at the bathing location will make it convenient for parents to always have one hand to hold the baby during the bath, avoiding the case of leaving the child alone in the water and fetching items.

5. Check the water temperature

Parents should always check the temperature of the water with their elbow or the inside of their wrist before bathing their newborn. The ideal temperature for bathing water is about 38 degrees Celsius. To avoid burns, it is necessary to adjust the temperature on the sap water heater to always lower than 49 degrees Celsius. Besides, it is recommended to bathe your baby in a warm and comfortable place. roof, avoid drafts because wet babies are easy to catch cold.
Experts recommend pouring about 5cm of warm water into the bath first, then continue to slowly pour warm water over the baby's body during the bath to avoid feeling cold. According to some studies, the water level in the pot just above the shoulder height of the baby will have the effect of keeping warm and providing maximum comfort. However, safety should always come first with any amount of water.

6. Always keep your baby safe

Being held securely and firmly in your arms will help your baby feel more comfortable in the tub. Use your non-dominant arm to support the baby's head and neck, while the other hand holds and cleans the baby's body, starting with the feet. Flexibly support the baby's head and back when needed, parents can reach behind the baby's back and grab the baby's arm during bath time.

7. Bathe your baby's back

To clean the baby's back and bottom, grab the baby's armpit, lay the baby on the arm, and carefully lean the baby forward.

8. Clean sensitive areas

Using a soft, clean cloth, add a little mild soap and warm water to clean your baby's genitals. For girls, wipe gently from front to back and especially between skin folds. For circumcised boys, parents should gently wipe the penis with a towel. In uncircumcised boys, there is no need to pull the foreskin, parents only need to use a little baby shower gel to carefully clean the baby's private area.

9. Bathing the newborn at a fixed time

Whether it's just wiping with a towel or bathing your baby in a basin of water, parents should choose a fixed time to establish a routine for their baby. It's usually a good idea to bathe in the evening before your baby goes to bed because studies have shown that bathing can help the body relax more comfortably and fall asleep more easily. After bathing, turn off the lights, reduce noise and other activities so that your baby realizes it's time to sleep.
However, parents should not bathe babies when they are hungry, grumpy or have digestive problems. In addition, the child's body can be cleaned at any time of the day that parents deem appropriate and convenient.

10. Baby cries in the shower

In the case of bathing a newborn baby and crying at this time, parents should calm down. Quickly clean up any leftover soap or pre-wash necessary parts, then wrap your baby in a towel. Only use a towel to pat the baby's body gently (avoid rubbing) and make sure the whole body is completely dry, especially in the interstitial or wrinkled areas. Parents should wait a few days before trying to bathe the baby again, during this time use a damp cloth to wipe the baby's face, neck and diaper area.
After bathing a newborn, parents can apply some gentle lotion on their baby's delicate and sensitive skin, especially for those with dry skin, irritation or eczema. However, you should limit the use of powdered talcum powder because it is likely to make the baby uncomfortable in the airways, affecting the respiratory function.
Following the basic instructions on how to bathe a newborn baby will help parents feel more confident when doing this step. Bathing babies not only cleans the body, but also helps children learn many new things through the process of stimulating the senses. At the same time, this is also the best time for children to feel the care, care and love from their parents.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively. In particular, during pregnancy, mothers will participate in antenatal classes organized by the hospital to provide mothers with knowledge of taking care of themselves during pregnancy as well as how to take care of their babies when they are born. Life: Breastfeeding posture, instructions for bathing the baby, handling when the child chokes milk ....helps the mother more confident on the journey of raising her child to grow up.
Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi My Linh has 12 years of experience in diagnosing and treating pediatric diseases, especially neonatal resuscitation and neonatal treatment. In addition, the doctor has strengths in the field of breastfeeding counseling as well as examination, counseling and nutritional intervention in children.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Article reference source: Mayoclinic.com, Whattoexpect.com